Planning a trip to Zurich, Switzerland
It can seem a bit daunting planning a holiday there as it’s known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. Thanks to its status as Switzerland’s financial and banking capital Zurich is renowned for extravagant living and for having the highest number of millionaire residents compared to any other place in the world. It is also home to many museums and galleries which showcase the rich Swiss history and culture. Best Things to do in Zurich
Best 15 things to do in Zurich
And why this dynamic city is one of the best places to live in, and why it should be on top of you must visit places in the world.
1. Altstadt(Old Town)
The name Altstadt literally means Old Town in German, this charming and Historical area is the oldest part of the city of Zurich, it is divided into four quarters namely Rathaus which means “Town Hall”, Lindenhof which means “lime tree Courtyards”, Hochschulen which means “University”, and City it also has the beautiful Limmat River flowing through it. Altstadt boasts of many attractions such as ancient churches, stunning guild houses, and narrow medieval streets. Roam around and get lost in the streets of Altstadt to experience what this captivating place has to offer.
2. Lindenhof
Lindenhof is a part of the old town is a hill in Public Square, where one can see a spectacular panoramic view of the town and the nearby Limmat River. This historical spark once served as a Roman Fort and even became a castle at one point. It serves as a recreational space which is open to all and is free of charge. It can only be accessed by foot making it virtually car free since all roads leading up to it are narrow.
3. Limmatquai
Limmatquai and admire the Rathaus. Named after the Limmat River and located along its shore, Limmatquai is a street known for luxury shops, restaurants and stunning architectural buildings that line it.Generally pedestrian-friendly portions of Limmatquai are car-free, leaving pedestrians to share the street with only the trams that traverse the length of it.
The most famous attraction along the Limmatquai is the Rathaus also known as the town hall. Built in 1694-1698, it used to be the seat of government for Zurich until 1798.Today it houses the legislative chambers and both Municipal and City parliaments exhibiting a mix of both Baroque and Renaissance styles of architecture the Rathaus is a stunning building that sits right on the bank of the Limmat creating the illusion that it is floating on water.
4. Fraumünster Church
Located along the bank of the limmat river is a beautiful old church called the Fraumünster. This church was built during the 9th century. A top the Ruins of a Convent established by King Louis II of Germany for his daughter Hildegard. One of the design elements of this church that you simply cannot miss is its unique Clock Tower with its signature blue spire. Famous for its distinct windows, the Fraumünster has six stained glass windows one of which measures a mass of nine meters tall, which was designed by Augusto Giacometti in 1940. The Fraumünster is also home to the biggest pipe organ in Zurich.
5. Niederdorf
Usually referred to as Dorfli or Little Village, Niederdorf is an area within the old town of Zurich that runs parallel to Limmatquai. Like Limmatquai, it is a pedestrian-friendly zone with winding alleys filled with shops that sell everything from clothing accessories and souvenirs as well as cafes and restaurants in the evening. It turns into a bustling and vibrant district with all the pubs and bars music and street performers every August a street festival called the Dörflifäscht is conducted in Niederdorf. It features a bazaar of street food alongside live performances by different artists and DJs making it a perfect destination for those looking for a good time.
6. Grossmünster
The famous Twin Towers of the Grossmünster standing mightily on the city’s Horizon is probably the most recognizable attraction in Zurich. The founded by the Roman Emperor Charlemagne, this church is said to have been built in honour of St Felix and St Regula, the patron saints of Zurich featuring the Romanesque style of architecture, the church features stained glass windows by Sigmar Polke and choir windows by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti. Another attraction that should not be missed in the Grossmünster are its bronze doors made by Otto Munch.
7. Bahnhofstrasse
Relatively short in distance measuring only 1.2 km long the Bahnhofstrasse is zurich’s Main Street and is surely every shopaholic stream. It is lined with stores of all the luxury brands you can imagine Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Dior, just to name a few all have stores along the street. If you get tired and hungry while doing all that shopping, you can sit and rest for a while at a trendy cafe or sample some luxuriously decadent Swiss chocolates being sold in the nearby shops.
8. St Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church, built around the 8th to 9th century, is the oldest church in Switzerland. Located beside Lindenhof Hill, it is the only church in Zurich that features. A purely baroque architectural design. The most famous attraction of this church is its Clock Tower face Which is the biggest in all of Europe. Its diameter measures 8.6 meters aside from its famous Clock Tower face, it is also known for housing five large Bells, the biggest of which weighs up to 6000 kilos alone. Another historical feature of Peters Church is the resting place of Rudolf Brun, the first mayor of Zurich.
9. Hauptbahnhof
Zurich Main Station, also known as Hauptbahnhof, is Switzerland’s largest railway hub and one of the busiest in the world. It offers convenient access to the Lindt Chocolate Factory. It offers rail services within the city and across cities and neighbouring countries such as Germany, Italy, France, and Austria making travel in and out of Zurich fast and convenient aside from offering transportation services.
The station also has a huge shopping centre beneath, it with over 200 shops that can cater to all your needs. This underground mall It is just as busy and bustling with people as the train station above it. Take a quick train ride to the Lynn Chocolate Factory and have a morning learning about how they make chocolate and more importantly some samples.
10. Landesmuseum
The Swiss National Museum, designed by architect Gustav Gull in 1898, resembles a castle and is strategically located just behind the Zurich Main Station. The museum houses an extensive collection of about 840,000 important historical and cultural Swiss artifacts that date back to the prehistoric time’s up to the 20th century, if you want to know more about Switzerland its cultural Traditions political history, Economic Development then a visit to the Swiss national museum is something you shouldn’t miss.
11. kunsthaus
Museum of Fine Arts. The kunsthaus or the Museum of Fine Arts is run by the Zurich Society of Arts. Founded in the year 1787, it is regarded as one of Europe’s best museums. It proudly displays important works of art by Monet, Van Gogh, Charles Munch, Miro, and Salvador Dali, to name a few to further promote. The Arts the museum regularly hosts various exhibits featuring contemporary artists and their artwork.
12. Uetliberg Mountain
A mountain located in the Swiss Plateau, the Uetliberg is the only mountain of Zurich. It stands 2850 feet above sea level and You can reach the mountain’s summit by taking a train called the Uetlibergbahn from Selnau Station to the upper station, which provides an impressive bird’s-eye view of the city, the lake, and the Alps. There you must hike up for about 10 minutes once you reach the top there are activities available for your enjoyment such as biking, camping, hiking, and even paragliding, there is also a beautiful restaurant made of glass that offers good food and excellent views.
13. Lake Zurich
The Majestic Lake Zurich is one of the largest and most enchanting lakes. In all of Switzerland at the Northwest end of the lake is Quaibrücke, a bridge that connects Bürkliplatz with Bellevueplatz, while the outflow of the lake is called Limmat, which is a river that passes through the city, If You can enjoy a scenic tour of the lake by riding a Limmatschiff, a glass-topped boat that travels from the Swiss National Museum along the Limmat River and into Lake Zurich.
If the Tranquil Blue Water of the lake looks enticing to you there is also a public beach called Strandbad Mythenquai, which is located along the opposite shore of the lake. This Beach is open for activities such as swimming, sunbathing, barbecuing and even has paddle boards for rent.
14. Zurich Zoo
Known locally as the Zurich Zoologischer Garten, the Zurich Zoo has been operational since 1929. A lush, rainforest-like like oasis in the middle of a bustling Metropolis. The zoo provides an escape for people who are longing for a change in atmosphere. The zoo boasts of around 380 species and a total of 2200 animals from all over the world including animals such as rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras, snakes, geckos, koalas, and kangaroos to name a few. It also has an elephant Park and an aquarium that houses over 70 species of fish. If you are interested in Wildlife from different parts of the world, the Zurich zoo is must-see.
15. Zurich Opera House
Zurich Opera House Located near the edge of Lake Zurich. This beautiful architectural gem designed by Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, was built in the 19th century. The Zurich Opera House 1200 sea capacity and amphitheater layout, and the fact that it was the first opera house in Europe to use electric lighting made it ahead of its time. Today the Zurich Opera House continues to host theatrical and musical events as well as ballet performances.
There you have it our list of the top 15 things to do in Zurich there’s something for you to experience and to enjoy in Zurich
